MOVES to charge mums-to-be more for scan print-outs of their unborn babies have been criticised by a parenting group.

The Nuneaton and Hinckley branch of the National Childbirth Trust describes the price hike, proposed at Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital, as a "shame."

Jane Neale, the breast-feeding counsellor with the group, said the increase in charges might prevent poorer parents from owning a precious keepsake of their infants in the womb.

The cash-strapped Nuneaton hospital has been forced to increase the charge from £3.50 for two images to £5 for just one picture. Two pictures would cost £10.

Mrs Neale said: "I can understand that a charge has to be made for photographs, but it is just a shame that it is going up so much.

It will exclude some parents from getting a picture of their babies, especially a lot of poorer parents. It's a shame.

"It is sad that it is now going to cost so much - especially coming on top of increased car parking charges at the hospital."

The increase comes under a new pricing regime designed to put the loss-making George Eliot Hospital back on track.

Two weeks ago, cash consultants moved into the hospital to help senior staff draw up a financial strategy to cope with a predicted £5million deficit.

One midwife at the hospital, who did not want to be named, said today: "A lot of people will be upset by the increase in charges, and I can understand that. No-one likes to pay more."

In December, the Nuneaton midwives were named the best baby-carers in Britain.

The maternity unit at George Eliot was cowinner of the Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health Good Practice Award - meaning mums-to-be in the Nuneaton area were getting the best maternity experience in the country.

A spokeswoman for the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust said today: "The George Eliot Hospital previously gave two scan pictures for £3.50. The decision has been made to increase the price to £5 for one picture.

"The trust apologises for any confusion which may have affected a small number of prospective parents who understood the price was to be £10 for one picture."